'加工' (jiā gōng) is a verb meaning 'to process'—typically referring to transforming raw materials or ingredients into a more usable, refined, or finished form. The character 加 (jiā) means 'to add' or 'to apply', and 工 (gōng) means 'work' or 'labor'; together, they literally convey 'applying labor' or 'working on something'. This term is widely used in food preparation (e.g., turning fresh vegetables into canned goods), manufacturing (e.g., shaping metal parts), and pharmaceutical contexts (e.g., refining herbal extracts).

Unlike general terms like 'make' or 'prepare', 加工 implies deliberate, often industrial or technical intervention—not simple cooking or assembly. It frequently appears in formal, technical, or regulatory language, such as food safety labels ('processed foods') or factory documentation. While it can occasionally describe artisanal work, it usually suggests standardized, repeatable procedures rather than spontaneous or creative activity.